U.S. companies need secure networks for the growing data requirements resulting from modernization, automation and remote devices. On top of this, exponential Big Data growth lies ahead, especially in the Industry 4.0 era.

CBRS is an innovative way to use spectrum and promises the most efficient use of scarce spectrum for both operators and enterprises. And, it is poised to open for commercial business.

There has been much written about the CBRS band. In the U.S. it is comprised of 150 MHz of shared spectrum, which is expected to be enough to meet early pent-up demand. Educational institutions, transportation hubs, healthcare facilities, stadiums, convention centers, and retailers are some of the verticals showing interest in the band to facilitate their own private LTE networks.

Operators want to use the band to augment service to their customers. It offers good propagation characteristics, a large amount of spectrum, and the 3.5 GHz band is seen as a key mid-band in 5G.

Overall, CBRS innovation offers three key benefits:

Significantly low total cost of ownership (TCO) with enhanced coverage and capacity

Private, highly secure, reliable and high-capacity LTE networks will help many industry verticals leverage reliable wireless technologies to connect machines, sensors and robots (IoT) as well as enhance worker safety and capabilities.

Nokia has been one of the driving forces behind the CBRS band and is commercializing its product line in readiness for mass deployment. In fact, Nokia was one of the first to launch a CBRS product in 2016, was a founding member of the CBRS Alliance, and one of the original members of WInnForum.

Just recently, Nokia achieved a significant milestone when it was one of the first vendors to complete FCC certification of its CBRS product line – the Nokia Flexi Zone Multiband CBRS.

Certification includes device testing (in this case, an access point or base station) to ensure that a Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) correctly communicates with a Spectrum Access System (SAS). The FCC certified devices are also the first to attain OnGo Certification from the CBRS Alliance.

Current FCC certifications show a growing ecosystem that sees incredible value in utilizing shared spectrum for wireless connectivity, bringing us one step closer commercial readiness.

Share your thoughts on this topic by joining the Twitter discussion with @nokia and @nokianetworks using #CBRS #OnGo

About Chris Stark

Chris Stark, head of strategy and business development is a distinguished telecoms executive, having previously held President and CEO positions at Turin Networks, Luminous Networks and Alcatel, as well as working as a management consultant to start-up telecommunications companies, advising on business strategy, marketing, growth strategies, pricing and competitive analysis. He serves as chair for the CBRS Alliance and is based in Dallas, Texas.